Today I am abuzz. Words chirp through my brain like a mocking bird in springtime. Today I could fill pages, if not volumes, with words, thoughts and ideas. Perhaps it's the weather. On this New Year's Eve day, Santa Barbara hovers on the cusp of fog and sun, and the beautiful, clear, sunny skies we've had for two months are threatening to depart. The largest fog bank I've seen in years is sitting in the middle of Santa Barbara's channel and could, at any moment, plunge us into gray occlusion.
All day the fog has been taunting us, stealthily seeping into the city, then drifting out again. This morning, as I hiked on a path in the foothills, I was caught between two forces: the sun warming my back and the fog licking my heels. Within this dynamic, I found something stimulating and electric. This day of December 31, 2011, has been like our weather, teetering on the edge of two forces: the future arriving and the departing past.
Driving through town, images flooded my view. So many of them seemed symbolic of this particular moment in time.
On a street I travel often, I passed an entrance I'd never noticed before; an arched gateway in a rock wall; it was luminous and welcoming. Later, from a perch in the upper Riviera, I gazed across the channel to see only the tallest tips of Santa Cruz Island peeking above the pillowed fog.
From my view of the channel, Stearn's Warf was barely recognizable in the mist, and as I watched it, I thought about the mystery of our future. The, as yet, unknown 2012. In this moment of transition, at the beginning of a New Year, invariably we're filled with a sense of renewal. And so with great hope percolating within me, I will share an image I took at Rincon Beach on the day after Thanksgiving, and with it, I want to wish you all a wealth of perfect waves cresting in your New Year, along with happiness, health and realized dreams.
Happy New Year! ~ Aneet
** See you again on the 20th of January.
Happy New Year Aneet!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful collection of photos and vibrant description of Santa Barbara as this year comes to a close.
Yes the fog has been making its prescence known on this stretch of the coast as well. The sun was not out for all that long today.
Your descriptions of Santa Barbara's vibrant colors strike a note of hope for the new year. As 2011 was a challenging year, the sunny day and bright colors reflect the hope and possibilities that brighter days are ahead for everyone in 2012. Once again you've captured the essence of the season so vividly.
Oh by the way, I noticed you're using the picture I sent you from that TPIR episode we talked about a few times, great choice. =) Also another radiant self-photo on the sidebar, echoing yet another Marc Breslow closeup.
I wish you and your family a peaceful, happy, healthy, and prosperous 2012.
Warm regards and best wishes,
Joseph
Good Morning Anitra,
ReplyDeleteA very happy and healthy new year to you and your family.
I love that photo of you in the sidebar. It's almost as if you're telling me "Jonathan,freeze right there as I snap this shot of you next to that old turquoise thunderbird".
I'm actually glad to see 2011 go. It was a year where I lost quite a few loved ones including an old drum teacher of mine from the 80's. He was Joe Morello from the Dave Brubeck Quartet. A fine man and a great teacher and performer.
All in all,I,m confident that 2012 will be a much better year. And here's to you Aneet: A bunk of my glass of Champagne to yours as we begin a year filled with health,happiness,peace and wonderful inspiration with regards to your blog!
All the best......Jonathan
Joseph,
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you like the photos. Thank you for your generous words. And yes, that is the photo that you forwarded. Your presence has added much color and flavor to this blog and is very appreciated.
Happy New Year Dear Joseph.
Sincerely, ~ Aneet
Jonathan,
ReplyDeleteHello, hello and Happy New Year to you too. I'm so sorry that last year brought loss. I surely hope that this year brings you much happiness. Now hold that pose beside your turquoise T-Bird and say "Cheese."
Warm wishes, Jonathan, ~ Aneet
Wow, great stuff! Terrific photos and uplifting words. I've never seen a coastal Pacific fogbank, but I've seen them lurking in the coves of Maine - beautiful and forboding, like your 3rd photo.
ReplyDeleteAll the best in 2012, to everyone.
Al
Al, hello,
ReplyDeleteIt's so nice to hear from you. Glad you like the photos. Thanks for sharing your descriptive impressions of Maine -- and also your well wishes.
My Regards, ~ Aneet
That shot of the stone gate is a wondrous thing. What I love best about it is the way the lightened parts are carefully over-exposed but the stone itself is perfectly exposed. I can see the texture of the stone and even the texture of the gravel in the foreground. In my opinion, the photograph is not done justice unless you click on it and look at it in its larger version. The spill of light onto the foreground makes the gravel, there, look like it's covered in snow. I know I promised not to wax too poetic but it reminds me of another place and time -- a time when a bridge in the fog compelled me to walk across it. In the same way as the far side of that gate is lost in light, the far side of the bridge in my experience was lost in fog. On that night, there was power waiting on the other side of that bridge. As I walked across it, I could feel the dictates of power waxing in me even though I was too weak to harness it fully. I predict that, if one were to walk through that gate in Anitra's photograph, one would be met with power on the far side. All it takes is to suspend disbelief... Thank you for the memory of the power I felt on that night, so long ago, Aneet...
ReplyDeleteDave,
ReplyDeleteI'm delighted to hear from you! I'm glad you found depth in the gate photo. Your suggestions on camera exposure have made me pause and find new methods. Thank you so much for that.
I also thank you for sharing your perceptive and heartfelt impressions of the gateway. You are a wonderful storyteller.
Blessings Dear Dave, and my good wishes for your New Year.
Sincerely, ~ Anitra
Belated New Year's wishes, Luv!! Sensational pics with this post - my fave is the sun through the pink clouds. I was fortunate to get a couple similar shots in late 2010; can't argue with God's canvas!!
ReplyDeleteI was also struck by your observations; I too feel that 2012 is going to be vastly different than 2011, and nature indeed seems to be hinting that this will be so. As always there will be the human factors involved, but I'm still going to pay closer attention to what the environment is saying these next 12 months.
I guess this means that my New Year's resolution is gaining new insights wherever I can find them.
Have a safe, prosperous, and HAPPY 2012, Luv.
{{{ANEET!!!}}}
Chris
Chris,
ReplyDeleteHello! It's lovely to hear from you. I enjoy reading your perceptions. So glad you liked the pink clouds. Color has a language of its own. Wonder if anyone detected the crescent moon?
You suggest that you will be tuning in more to nature. It takes time to ponder and observe -- at least for me.
I hope that your world is treating you well Chris. Thank you for sharing your interesting thoughts with us.
Sending you my regards, ~ Aneet
Gorgeous photos, as always Anitra!! Love the new self portrait too!! Have a wonderful 2012!!
ReplyDeleteMark
Mark,
ReplyDeleteHello again. I'm happy that you like the photos. Your the one who encouraged me to post current pictures of myself. It's taken some doing, but there you are!
Wishing you a super New Year too Mark.
My regards, ~ Aneet
Awww....glad I could spur you on!! Have a wonderful weekend!!
ReplyDeleteMark :-)
You too Mark :)
ReplyDeleteAneet
Happy New year Aneet,
ReplyDeleteThank you for the beautiful pictures,and most heartfelt words.You are an eloquent writer.this post filled me with inspiration! I look foward to 2012
being a great year for all of us.love the photo of you,I must say you are,
and always will be a Super Model of the world! sending you the best!
Roger
Roger,
ReplyDeleteHello. Lovely to hear from you. So glad you enjoyed the post. Thank you for your sweet Super Model words. They made me smile.
My warm regards to you and your family, ~ Anitra
Hello Anitra,
ReplyDeleteHere's wishing you a "Happy New Year" as well as a "Happy Birthday" too! It was great to see a recent photo of you as well. You're beauty is timeless!
Those pictures above beckon me to move away from Boston, but I could never leave New England.
Cheers to you in 2012!
Terry
Terry,
ReplyDeleteLovely to hear from you again. Glad you like my recent photo. So much has to do with lighting and balance.
I enjoy sharing the sights I find around me. But there is beauty everywhere, and most certainly in Boston!
Thanks for your kind words Terry. Sending warm wishes your way, ~ Anitra
Anitra, I am glad I found your blog and will follow you. You are a great example of inner and outer beauty, and your youthfulness is a great inspiration to others. I love your pics. Hope you are well,
ReplyDeleteJim Goettel
Santa Monica, CA
Hello Jim,
ReplyDeleteIt's nice to hear from you. Thank you for your kind and thoughtful words. I'm glad you decided to share them. It's good to meet you -- and welcome!
Sincerely, ~ Anitra
Hi Aneet:
ReplyDeleteYou have a new profile pic - very cool!
Spending free time at Lakers' and Clippers' games, catching up on reality television.
Take care. Enjoy the holiday weekend.
Bits
Bits,
ReplyDeleteAs always, it's delightful to hear from you. Glad you like the new profile pic.
Those Clippers are doing great! It's nice to get a picture of you enjoying your days.
Have a beautiful holiday Bitsy.
Sincerely, ~ Aneet
Hello Anitra,
ReplyDeleteI hope all is well in your life. The beginning of this new year has been a bit of a struggle for me. I've had to postpone my college education this winter term due to financial problems and personal family issues. Although I must stay positive and think that things can only get better from here on. I enjoyed your beautiful pictures as always they lift my spirits! The archway made of stone with the sun shining threw makes me think of the garden of eden. A magical beautiful place full of life. And the wonderful picture of the multicolored sunset sky is breathtaking, the crescent moon starting to peak out is the perfect touch. Those were both my favorites. Your sunset picture reminds me of a picture I took the other day that I just submitted for a scholarship. I hope you have a wonderful day Aneet!
-Thalia :)
Thalia,
ReplyDeleteIt's lovely to hear from you. Sorry that you've had delays in your plans. I surely hope this passes soon. You impress me as a very resourceful person. I trust you have the skills to see this through.
I'm so glad you liked the photos, and that you noticed the crescent moon. I always enjoy reading your impressions. I wish you good luck on your scholarship submission and all that you embark on in the future.
Thank you so much for your good wishes Thalia. Sending you my regards, ~ Aneet
Aneet, are you near the Reagan Ranch? Is that worth visiting?
ReplyDeleteZolotoy,
ReplyDeleteSo nice to hear from you. The Reagan Ranch is fifteen to twenty miles above SB. I know that area of the hills and it is majestically beautiful there, as it is in all of the mountainous areas along this coast, especially on a clear day. I haven't seen the ranch, but if you're an admirer of Reagan, I'm sure you'll find both historic and personal value there.
Sending you my regards, ~ Aneet
Aneet, today, March 8th, is Intl. Women's Day, so I would like to wish you a very happy day!
ReplyDeleteJim,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your thoughtful message. I'd like to extend my good wishes to you as well.
Sincerely, ~ Anitra